Interior Sec. Salazar outlines restructure at MMS

"While relief teams continue to clean up oil in the Gulf, Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar is trying to clean up the bureau many say is largely to blame for the disaster.

"In his testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Salazar laid out some of the potential causes of the disaster, outlined his plan to reorganize the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and introduced the man he chose to head the new effort, Michael Bromwich.

"Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.) opened the hearing bluntly: 'By law, Interior is responsible for ensuring safe and clear proof of oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf, no one else, and this responsibility cannot be delegated. Ultimately, at every juncture, leading up to the Deepwater Horizon Spill, MMS failed in its duty.'

"Salazar says the reorganization's goals are to recognize and fully understand the scope of the problem, learn the necessary lessons and use the crisis as a catalyst for safer energy, eco-restoration and Gulf conservation programs."

I played highlights of the hearing, including Secretary Salazar's explanation of how the new agency will be structured. You can watch the entire hearing below.